Proposed biogas plant would cause ‘enormous disruption’ – farmer

Planning permission has been refused for a new biogas renewable energy facility in east Donegal.

Mayo-based North West Energy Park Ltd had sought to develop the plant to convert grass silage and hybrid rye into sustainable energy at Maylin, Newtowncunningham.

The proposed development would have consisted of five primary and post digestive tanks as well as pasteurising unit. A biogas plant is a facility that turns waste and other organic products into sustainable energy and fertilizers.

There was one objection, from a local farmer, to the proposed development. He claimed that between 2,000 and 3,000 acres of farmland would be needed to feed the digester. As a result, he said, this would cause an “enormous disruption” to the local land leasing and rental market, putting “traditional farm enterprise at risk and at a major disadvantage in east Donegal.” 

In making their decision, council planners gave a number of reasons for refusal. They said there was an ‘absence of detailed specifications’ for the types of materials that would be used as digestate to feed the plant. They stated there was also ‘ambiguity arising from inconsistencies within the application documents’ in relation to the ratio of digestate that would be made up from ‘farm products’. In addition, they had concerns over flooding, adding that the proposed development would have negative impacts on residential amenity, public health and local environmentally sensitive sites.